Youth Leader Empowering Girls Through Referee Program

WELLINGTON (New Zealand) – An unexpected invitation to bench officiate at a basketball tournament has led Filipino-Kiwi, Daphne Martinez to discover a passion for basketball refereeing.  Now, a FIBA Foundation Youth Leader, she’s empowering young girls through her ‘The Rebound Collective’ project.

While basketball wasn’t initially part of Martinez’s life, a chance encounter ignited her passion, and she found a welcoming community in refereeing.  Her dedication to refereeing, the Wellington basketball community, and Basketball New Zealand, led her to participate in the FIBA Foundation Youth Leader Program.  From there she developed ‘The Rebound Collective’, a project created to inspire, and support young female referees.

The Rebound Collective: Encouraging Girls in Refereeing

“My Basketball for Good Project is called ‘The Rebound Collective’,” explains Martinez.  “The main purpose of the project is to reclaim, revive, and regenerate our kōhine (girls aged 13-18) in the refereeing space.  My program is designed for young female referees to stay confident, and safe while officiating.”

Offering a comprehensive support system throughout the season, ‘The Rebound Collective’ will equip participants with a solid foundation in basketball rules, while providing valuable mentorship and support for the next generation of young female referees.

“Throughout the season, participants will receive mentorship on and off the court with experienced referees providing guidance, support and encouragement,” Martinez said.  “We will also collaborate with Pou Whirinaki, a Capital Zone Basketball Trust referee mentor program, to further strengthen the support network for participants.”

Why Young Women Belong in the Basketball Community

Building a strong community will be at the core of this Basketball for Good Project, with Martinez eager to provide an environment where young female participants can speak openly about their experiences, and how they can manage interactions, and expectations.

“Engaging young female referees in basketball is crucial for their personal development, the promotion of gender equality in sports, and the enrichment of the basketball community,” Martinez said.  “One of the things the Youth Leader Program has taught me, is that basketball is a tool for use.  I interpret that as basketball being used to teach about any aspect of life, for refereeing, not only are you a person who knows the rules, but you get to be an athlete, communicator, and leader.”

Basketball refereeing offers young women a chance to build confidence and leadership skills, according to Martinez.  She believes highlighting these opportunities can inspire more girls to participate and challenge gender imbalances in sports.  Furthermore, engaging young females as referees will help them stay connected to basketball, and their community throughout their lives, whether they become referees, players, coaches, or fans.

An Unexpected Call: From Scorekeeper to Basketball Changemaker

Basketball wasn't always Martinez 's game. Though Filipino heritage practically guaranteed a love for the sport, it was a chance invitation to score keep that sparked a passion for officiating.  Thrown headfirst into a Men's Premier 3x3 Tournament, Martinez discovered a welcoming community and a multitude of opportunities to learn, grow, and become a leader within the sport.  This unexpected journey is now leading Martinez to empower young female referees through her Youth Leader project ‘The Rebound Collective’.

“It was my first year out of high school when I really fell in love with basketball,” Martinez said.  “I think it was inevitable, as a Filipino, basketball is pretty much in our blood.  But what got me to ‘stick around’ was the community and how much they all really welcomed me, it didn’t matter what my background was, everyone in the basketball community threw their arms around me and supported my basketball journey.”

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Inspired by the Past, Empowering the Future of Female Referees

Martinez is driven by a deep appreciation for the women who paved the way in sports, recognising the challenges they faced.  She sees herself as part of a continuing movement to close the gender gap in sports leadership.  Through ‘The Rebound Collective,’ she aims to provide the support and guidance she herself received, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for young female referees to thrive.

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self about her basketball journey, Martinez said the following.

I would tell myself that I can’t fix the world’s problems, and that there are things I can’t control, and that’s okay. Whatever I can give in that moment of time is enough.